Letter from London

Report by Tim blanks

The first edition of London Collections: Men was
 grounds for irrational exuberance. Jubilee! Olympics!
 The world was mad for London love. And in the
 midst of that fell our first full calendar of menswear 
shows. Somewhere between the sexualised rigour of Richard Nicolls’ menswear debut and Meadham Kirchhoff’s trippy loucheness, a multi-faceted re-evaluation of men’s fashion clambered full-blown into the brilliant light of a brave new man’s world.

The rosy afterglow of that multiverse of visions has created a fierce momentum which carries us effortlessly into a new season so convincingly that starry new folk want to join the party. Hi Tom Ford, Hi Sarah Burton, come hither! And welcome, not just because you’re bringing your own passion, but also because you’re acknowledging that this is the city that honours the individual. And also, that this is the city that tracks its commitment to the sharp-dressed man back through centuries of societal ebb and flow.

At the best of times, style is a joy. When times
 aren’t quite so sure, it’s a refuge. London has always
 indulged and celebrated both impulses. We say 
that with the barest minimum of banner-waving 
jingoism, but it’s oh so hard not to cue another 
attack of irrational exuberance. London Collections’ sophomore effort is looking quite the match of
 Round One. Our cast of characters returns in full cry.
 The schedule is as packed as before, with the tightly
 woven web of shows, presentations and social events 
giving the impression of a pleasing sense of urgency
 which emphasises the optimistic energy that sets
 London apart from the other fashion capitals. And if that urgency creates the impression that we’re making 
up for lost time? Well, so what? You’re only young
 once...or twice...or however many times you choose to
 beat the clock.

Download the full report

Artwork: Josh Geoghegan
www.joshgeoghegan.com